United Brisk Relief Committee

by Jerry Seligsohn

World War I followed by the Russian Civil War had a devastating effect on the
Jewish community of Brest-Litovsk. The Brisker Benevolent Association formed the
United Brisker Relief Committee with, I am sure, the urging of Brisker
organizations in other cities. In 1937, it became a truly national and
international organization with branches in Newark, Chicago and elsewhere.
They even observed anniversary celebrations of the 1915 founding. The YIVO
archives are replete with correspondence between the NYC organization and
Brisker community in Poland/Belarus. Money and supplies were sent as the
membership dug deeply into their pockets to rescue their brethren from the
depredations of war. Affiliated groups worked together in this mission of
mercy from synagogues, workman circles, woman's groups, and young men's
associations.